Library levy was rigged against homeowners

Earmon Powell of Walnut Hills said he uses the Public Library, Walnut Hills branch several times a week to do his work, which helps him stay connected to the community. He does community work for City Council Member Tamaya Dennard. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County seek a property tax increase that would double the current library property tax. The $19 million it would generate annually would go to renovating its old branches. The Walnut Hills is the oldest branch in the system that has never been renovated. It was built in 1906 and isn't ADA accessible. Photo shot Friday, April 13, 2018.(Photo: Cara Owsley/The Enquirer)Buy Photo

The state cut funding for the Cincinnati Public Libary by 26 percent, so what does Hamilton County do they put another levy on the ballot. The fiscally responsible solution would have been to find alternative funding or reduce the scope of library services. The system is rigged because home ownership in Cincinnati is 38 percent and guess what 37 percent voted no on the levy. Why do non-homeowners that have no skin in the game get to vote on levies? Renters may feel some pain, but it will take time and they won’t be forced to pay as much as individual homeowners. The bigger problem is are we to assume that every time the federal or state government cuts funding they will turn to homeowners to foot the bill?

Rich Dansereau, Hyde Park

Visit to Palestine opened my eyes

I recently traveled to the Holy Land on a Franciscan pilgrimage. Although I was thrilled to see the holy sites where Jesus walked, I was saddened and shocked to see the barbed wire-laden separation wall in Bethlehem. The wall encircles Bethlehem, turning it into a quasi-ghetto with no room for natural expansion.

We stayed with a Palestinian-Christian family who treated us with the utmost hospitality. We learned that they were not allowed to work in nearby Jerusalem or go to that city without a special permit. Their homeland is occupied and huge settlements are encroaching on what is left of it.

While I believe in Israel’s right to exist, we should all become more aware that the Palestinians also deserve a peaceful homeland.

Cynthia Summers Lewis, University Heights

Suddenly, going out in Cincinnati is pricey

Events in this city have priced themselves to outlandish levels. Here is a list of venues and prices for two:
Playhouse in the Park, $171.80; Shakespeare Company, $110; Ensemble Theater, $121; Symphony, $174; Reds, $220l; Bengals, $186; parking, $10-$20; airfare twice the cost of CMH, DAY, or IND.
This is absurd.James Good, Northside

Don't cut funds meant to help children

The recent proposal by the White House to rescind spending for the CHIP program morally reprehensible. It is a sad day when spending is balanced on nonsensical items like a border wall, and we try to cut children’s health care.

Yes, we must balance the budget. However, we must make cuts that do not cripple basic services and the core of what it means to be American.

Representative Brad Wenstrup and Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown must ensure we take care of our nation's children and have a tough discussion on cuts that do not harm them.

Brad Barron, Woodlawn

The taxes you pay must depend on who you know

Wow! What an eye-opening opinion piece in the Enquirer ("With all the tax abatements, who will pay to feed Fiona?" May 5) I knew that businesses too often were getting tax abatements in Cincinnati and Hamilton County but I had no idea that owners of luxury homes were also getting sweet tax breaks.

After reading Mr. Mooney’s article, I went to the Hamilton County Auditor’s website to look for myself at the property information for 400 Baum Street. The information there is shocking. The market value of that house is $1,280,690. The abated value is $1,134,170. The Total Tax is $3,591.10. Our home in North College Hill has a market value of $182,160. The abated value is $0. The total Tax is $4,121.67. I guess it all comes down to just who you know at Cincinnati City Hall or at the Hamilton County Commissioner’s Office. With selective businesses and individuals getting such preferred tax treatment, it’s no wonder the zoo and the library are asking the rest of us to increase our “giving." This is about as unfair as it can get.

Darwin Yung, North College Hill

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